At about seven months old many babies start becoming very interested in finger foods. They like to sit in their high chairs and practice their pincer grasp by picking up small foods and feeding them to themselves. The problem with that is many foods which are small enough for babys fingers are small enough to be choking hazards. Besides choking there are other risks associated with babies and food. Honey, for example, can host clostridium botulinum spores which can be dangerous to babies. Although adults intestinal tracts can prevent the growth of the spores babies intestines cannot. The spores can grow and cause toxic poisoning.
Peanut butter is another example of a food which is safe for most adults but can be dangerous for young children. The consistency of peanut butter makes it very hard to swallow for some babies. Babies can easily choke on peanut butter or things containing peanut butter. The same is true for things which contain softened cheese. Cheese crackers or pieces of grilled cheese sandwiches are not suitable for babies. Marshmallows and jelly candy fit into this category as well.
Experts recommend pea-size finger foods to keep baby safe. Round foods should always be cut into fourths. Such foods include grapes, cherry tomatoes and melon balls. Leaving them whole, or even cutting them in half, can be very dangerous for a young child. Foods cut into round shapes, like chunks of carrots, should also be quartered. Foods like green beans should be cut into pea-size pieces. Foods to avoid entirely, when it comes to choosing finger foods for the baby, include nuts, popcorn, hard candy and cough drops. As your baby becomes old enough to feed himself its important to offer a large variety, over time, of different textures, shapes, smells and tastes. Its also important to consider the childs age when choosing finger foods as well as how many teeth he has - or doesnt have. A baby with a couple of teeth in the front can have many more foods than a baby with no teeth. Cereal which is round and has a hole in the center is a good choice for your babys finger food snack. Choose cereals which are low in sugar to keep the snack healthy. Cereal can be chewed by a baby with teeth or sucked on, until soft, by a baby with no teeth. Very lightly toasted bread, cut into small shapes, is another good choice for babies with or without teeth. Fresh bread can be dangerous to a baby, though. It can stick to the roof of his mouth or even lodge in his throat. Toast bread before serving to a small child. Fruits are a real favorite amongst babies but make sure the fruit is very ripe. Cut it into shapes rather than balls. Good fruit choices include bananas, plums, pears, peaches, cantaloupe or seedless watermelon. If you cut the fruit into balls or slices quarter them before serving. If you choose pasta for your babys finger food snack make it some of the larger types. Spirals are good, cut into smaller sections, but avoid types like spaghetti. The pasta choice should always be well cooked and soft. Elbow noodles are okay but can be difficult for baby to pick up. Cooked vegetables, even though soft, should still be cut before serving. Carrots, peas, potatoes, sweet potatoes and even zucchini are good finger food choices. When serving meats make sure they are cut into small pieces that are cooked until soft. Something like chicken or even beef is okay but flat objects, like pieces of bologna, are not ideal. Pieces of all-beef hot dogs are fine but quarter them for safety. The foods you feed your baby are very important, nutritiously, but theres much more to selecting a babys food than nutrition. Although some of the listed foods are more safe than others its always recommended that you stay in the room while baby is eating and check on him frequently. Even foods which are cut properly can sometimes still choke a child!
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